If you find yourself typing the same phrases, diagnoses, or instructions repeatedly, you’re not alone — and there’s a better way. Healthquest has two built-in tools designed specifically to eliminate repetitive typing: Macros (also called Autocompletes) and Phrase Lists. They’re different tools that solve similar problems and knowing which one to reach for can make a real difference in how quickly you move through your day.
What Are Macros / Autocompletes?
A macro is a short abbreviation you type anywhere in Healthquest that automatically expands into a full block of text when you press the spacebar. Think of it like a personal shorthand system — you define the code, and Healthquest fills in the rest.
Macros work almost everywhere in the system:
- Charting and chart notes
- Client cards
- Worklists
- Referral management
- Forms
- Appointment detail windows
- Letters (using a separate macro list)
They can expand into a single word, a full sentence, an entire paragraph, or even a checklist — making them one of the most versatile tools in Healthquest.
💡 Pro Tip: When naming your abbreviations, use partial words or add punctuation (like ‘diab’ or ‘/diabetes’) to prevent the macro from accidentally triggering when you type the full word normally.
Setting Up a Macro
- Go to Setup > Autocomplete/Macro Setup
- Click New
- Enter your abbreviation — keep it short and memorable
- Type the full expanded text into the description box
- Assign it to a specific employee if it’s personal, or leave the dropdown blank to make it clinic-wide
- Click Save
To use it: simply type your abbreviation anywhere in the EMR and press the spacebar. The full text replaces it instantly.
💡 Pro Tip: Macros can include form fields — for example, you can pull in lab results with their date as part of an autocomplete template.
What Are Phrase Lists?
A Phrase List is a curated set of pre-written sentences or phrases that live on the right-hand side of your charting window. Rather than typing or remembering an abbreviation, you place your cursor where you want the text and simply click the phrase to insert it.
Phrase Lists are charting-specific, which makes them ideal for fields where you want quick access to a visible, browsable set of options — without needing to remember any codes.
Setting Up a Phrase List
- Go to Setup > Charting Setup > Phrase List
- Click New and enter the phrase text
- Assign it to a specific template and field so it appears in the right context
- Limit it to one provider or leave it open for the whole clinic
Which Tool Should You Use?
Great question — and one that comes up often. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Macros / Autocompletes | Phrase Lists |
| Executed with keyboard shortcut (spacebar) | Inserted by clicking from a visible list |
| Available across most of the EMR (charting, client cards, worklists, referrals, letters) | Only available in charting fields |
| Can expand single words, phrases, paragraphs, or entire checklists | Inserts one text line at a time |
| Requires memorizing your abbreviation codes | Phrases are visible and browsable by field name |
| Best for: power users who chart repetitively | Best for: varied visits with occasionally reused language |
In practice, many clinicians use both: macros for their most-used, high-frequency text (like standard preventive care reminders or common diagnoses), and phrase lists for visit-specific language they want to click through rather than remember.
A Quick Example
Imagine seeing a lot of patients with Type 2 diabetes. You could set up a macro — say, ‘diab2’ — that expands into a full charting checklist covering A1C, blood pressure targets, foot exam, referral status, and next steps. Every time you chart that visit, you’re one abbreviation and a spacebar away from a complete starting framework.
Pair that with a Phrase List of your most common medication instructions, and you’ve eliminated a significant chunk of repetitive typing from your day.
Need more detail? Check out our Knowledge Base article or watch our recent webinar Charting efficiencies – Jan 2026
Next in this series: Smarter Templates — how to use defaults, quick tabs, and copy-old-note features to build a charting workflow that works for you.